Two Murders and Weekend Violence Trigger Major Police Investigations

Belize Police are investigating a series of incidents that unfolded over the weekend, including two murders, a firearm discovery possibly linked to one of the killings, and a shooting investigation involving three detained men near a popular Belize City lounge. The first murder occurred on Friday night on Castle Street in Belize City.  Just before ten o’clock, officers from Northside CIB responded to reports of gunfire and found 36-year-old Byron James lying motionless with gunshot wounds.  ASP Stacy Smith spoke on the preliminary findings from the investigators.

Stacy Smith, Assistant Superintendent of Police: “Precinct 3 crimes investigation branch personnel proceeded to that location. Upon the arrival of these officers, they observed the apparent lifeless body of a male person who was later identified to be 36 year old Byron James, a laborer of a Castle Street address. Initial investigations revealed that on Friday, 14 November at approximately 9:50 p.m., James was in the compound of that apartment building when two masked men are reported to have entered the property and fired several shots resulting in Mr. James untimely demise. Police have detained one male person in relation to this incident and during the course of police operation in that area subsequent to the shooting two nine millimeter pistols were retrieved and labeled as found property. These firearms will be submitted to the National Forensic and Science Services Laboratory for ballistic testing to determine whether or not they were in fact used in this incident. The body of James now awaits a post-mortem examination and police investigation continues.”

James is no stranger in our news archives as back in February 2017, he had assaulted our Court Reporter, Anita Nembhard.  Prior to that, in 2016, he was found guilty of the 2012 murder of Frank Vasquez.  Interestingly, however, he was never sentenced for that murder.  The delayed sentencing led to James filing a constitutional motion.  The motion was based on the fact that the entire murder trial had extended beyond five to six years which is deemed as a legal and reasonable time frame for the trial and appeals process.  As a result, due to the nature of the case, the court ordered a re-trial.  The re-trial never happened, and as such the court ruled for a stay, preventing any further action against James on this matter.  Love News understands that James was released from prison in December 2022.